The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-08-31
OLD SMITHS ROMANCE.

OLD SMITHS ROMANCE.
When it was whispered at the mess of
the Hompshire that Old Smith," as he
was familiarity called, had been actually
detected in a clandestine acquaintance
with a certain pretty girl in the town of
Filstone, where the regiment was quar-
tered, the announcement was received
partly with amazement and partly with
incredulity.
Smith WAS quiet, retiring man, per-
fectlv harmless, very good natured, the
guide, philosopher and friend of young
sters, although he was made butt of by
those same youngsters, on account of his
awkwardness and his mysterious habits,
and was universally respected, as he had
shown conspicuous gallantary among the
zebras of the Soudan As he was a poor
+ man, and remained in the regiment part
ly out of sheer affection for the service
and partly because he was at an age
when it is difficult to embark upon a new
course of life, he mixed but little in the
gayeties a nd hospitality for which the
Hompshire was famous, spent his time
I principally among his books, and. il was
I generally believed, in adding to his pro-
I fessional income by contributing TO
/ periodical literature.
The object of Smiths intentions, il was
/ reported, was Oracle Clough--a pretty,
modest, well-behaved girl, who occupied
a position in the millinery establishment
Of Ruche & Bustle, and after whom half
| the subs in the battalion were raving,
! although not word had ever been
breathed that she had in the smallest de-
gree outstepped the bounds of property,
or had on any occasion behaved herself
otherwise then modestly and becoming
ly. OF these smitten youngsters none
could congratulate himself upon having
made a nearer approach to conquest, than
the harum scarum, devil-may-care Hon.
Bob Topsham, eldest son of Lord GRAY,
upon whose authority the news of old
smiths attachment had been spread
abroad.
AT first the notion that old Smith
could have succeeded in cutting out the
handsome, titled young sub was secuted
as ridiculous, for Smith was not exactly
Of the age and appearance To win the
/ love Of a girl at whose feet a score of
eligible bachelors of good position and
I qualifications were ready TO throw them
selves. 1t was very well known, too, that
he was not in position to support wife
and his character stood too high for any
one to dare to breath a hint that his in
/ tentions toward such girl would be any,
thing but strictly honorable. But Bob
Topsham invited his brother subs to see
for themselves, and arranged that one
evening they should accompany him
I into the town, conceal themselves and
keep watch on the premises of Ruche &
Bustle at the hour when the young ladies'
I of that famous emporium were liberated
/ from their days servitude. This they
did. and they were rewarded by seeing
old Smith walking up and down the
street in in the true cavalier servante
style, to be presently joined nv Oracle,
who greeted him with cordiality, and
putting her arm in his, went off with him
in the direction of the pleasant fields by
which Filstone is surrounded
The young gentlemen, with the excep-
ton of Bob Thopsham, regarded the af-
fair as an excellent joke, and resolved
that old Smith should hear of It's discoy-
cry in divers pleasant ways but Bob
Topsham took it very seriously, for he
was head over heels in love with the girl.
and up to recent date had good reason to
believe that bis affection was reciproc.l-
ted, and that he held undivided posses
sion of her heart
Ofcourse, every one knew that between
Bob Topsham and Oracle ClOugh very
intimate understanding existed, but the
young gentleman had already fallen in
love half dozen times, and the idea was
never entertained for moment that the
prospective Lord Cray, the heir of one of
the proudest noblemen in the country,
seriously meditated matrimonial union
with provincial shop girl 80 that he
was made the subject of innumerable
witticisms anent the new rival who had
suddenly appeared on the field. The re-
suit was that Il GOODNESS sprang between
him and old smith, though they had
hitherto been on the best of terms with
each other, and it became very evident
to the on-lookers, VINO hailed with de-
light anything which promised to vary
monotony of barrack life in a quiet old
country town, that the affair would soon
assume a serious aspect
The climax came Ia due course. Bob
Topsham has seen Oracle, and the fol-
lowing conversation has ensued between
them:
Il say, Oracle" said the Hon Bob. Z" /
wish you'd put me out of my misery and
tell me plainly and honestly how matters
stand between us. You've said scores Of
times that you care more for me than for
any other fellow. I've sworn TO you that
| could never love another girl, and yet
I've found out that not only are you in
the habit of meeting Smith of ours, but
that you treat him just like favored low
erin fact, you do with him what you
have never done with me, you go out for
walks with him, and can't help think
ing that you are PLAYING double game"
The girl seemed very much detected
st these accusations. and at length hes
itatingly replied:
We'll, Bob, Pm sorry you have such
poor opinion of me. I've told you that
love YOU, and it is not likely that /
should say such a thing and at the same
time be carrying on--as You term it,
1 with another man But think that our